The Federal Government, has directed the 104 unity schools across the country to reopen on Oct. 12.
The schools, like other institutions of learning in the country, were shut down in March in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who announced the date in Abuja, on Friday, during a news conference, said it was safe to reopen the schools as the COVID-19 curve has been flattened.
Adamu said states and private schools were at liberty to fix their resumption dates in line with the COVID-19 protocols
He noted that any school that failed to comply with the COVID-19 guidelines risked being closed.
“Having taken that painful but necessary decision to close the schools, government has not rested on its oars in the areas of consultation with stakeholders, putting together guidelines for reopening of schools and preparations required of school owners to reopen.
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“We have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector, including the Association of Private School Owners, (APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Provosts of Colleges of Education, Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice Chancellors of Universities, State governors, our development partners, Honourably Commissioners of Education and relevant international organizations.
“Consequently, after due consultation with the Presidential Committee on COVID-19, we have decided that our 104 Unity Colleges should reopen on the 12th of October 12th, 2020,” the minister said.
He urged all school owners to put in place systems to ensure safe distancing and develop and display at schools simple context-specific reference protocols on day-to-day actions to be operated in the school.
Also, he said schools should establish a staff/students Committee for regular surveillance, monitoring and enforcement of COVID 19 guidelines.
